STAFF at a Salford hospital will not face criminal prosecution after a police probe into claims that painkillers were used to subdue elderly patients.

The deaths of three people at the Woodlands Hospital, Little Hulton, were at the centre of the investigation after a whistleblower said people were given drugs to sedate them rather than genuine pain relief.

Three members of staff were suspended.

An inquiry was triggered after the death of Robert Breeze, 77, who had been a patient for several months, in May last year. The cases of two other patients, who died in the previous two years, were also investigated.

The inquiry concerned the hospital's Kenyon Ward. The two-ward hospital, which also has day-care facilities, is run by Bolton, Salford, and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust. The whistleblower wrote to the Trust's chief executive, Lezli Boswell, expressing concern about the treatment given to Mr Breeze and to another patient.

Four experts assessed the care given to Mr Breeze and changes were made to his treatment on May 16 and 17 to keep the terminally-ill patient as comfortable as possible. A management investigation into the allegations was started on May 18. Mr Breeze died the following day.

The inquiry had to establish whether or not Mr Breeze and two other patients were given appropriate medication in the weeks or months before they died.

A spokesman for the Trust said: "Greater Manchester Police has informed the Trust that the Crown Prosecution Service has concluded that no criminal prosecutions are to be taken against any persons.

"The CPS stated that there has been no significant evidence obtained during the investigation that support the allegations made by a member of staff in May 2005.

"Two nurses were suspended and a consultant psychiatrist excluded as a consequence of the allegations, as a neutral act. The trust is now making plans to support them in their return to work in the immediate future. The Trust hopes to conclude its review into the allegations at the end of May 2006.

"Where improvements are indicated as a result of the internal review, we will embrace them fully."

Police confirmed its investigation had concluded and an inquest into Mr Breeze's death will now be resumed.